ELEPHANT HERD BACK AT JUNGLE;

Madikeri March 16, 2009

The elephant herd creating menace around Maragodu village since a fortnight has returned to Dubare forest range.

DFO Mallesh told this correspondent at the operation site that the forest department has successfully chased the herd to its base at Dubare. The above herd with five elephants along with a calf was rampaging crops and posing threat to the residents. It migrated from its original camp as forest fires at Dubare posed danger. Added to it, the elephants will not get any food inside the forest, till it rains, once it catches fire.

Around thirty forest staff from Madikeri, Bhagamandala, Sampaje and other places was involved in the operation to chase the herd away. The two day operation witnessed a fight between the tamed elephant and the wild ones on the evening of 15th.

Meanwhile the tamed elephant Vikram involved in the operation has received a cut at the forehead during the fight with the wild elephant. Vikram, which is serving in the forest department since 22 years has so far tamed around 20 elephants.

Whereas, Harsha, which was caught during Khedda operation during 1971 has tamed about 72 elephants. Its mahout Sikka told this correspondent that he feels no fear to encounter any wild elephants while he sits on Vikram.He does not know defeat, he says. The DFO Mallesh calls Harsha as number one elephant trainer in India. Harsha will charge straight at any wild tusker and turns him down on to the ground by using its trunk, he says.

ACFO Vijayakumar said that a Mahout has suffered a cut on the nose and a forester has suffered fracture during the operation. According to him, this was the first tough operation they have undertaken at Madikeri taluk due to its difficult terrain.

Harsha

NEW SP TAKES CHARGE;

Ramesh Harihar from Haveri has taken charge as the superintendent of police, yesterday.

Ramesh was serving as a superintendent of police at Bagalkote since two years and is posted to Kodagu as the serving SP Suresh has been transferred to Bagalkote.

Ramesh Harihar told that protecting law and order is his priority and he will ensure that the election takes place peacefully. He was told that many people are against the direction by the police to lodge their guns at police stations before the election. He said that he will study the issue take a proper decision.

SP Suresh served in Kodagu for seven months. He said that he liked the place and received co operation from all quarters.

POLITICIANS WARNED AGAINST WOOING VOTERS

The politicians are warned against wooing voters with liquor, money and gifts during the election. Strict action would be initiated against such persons.

Addressing the meeting of political leaders at the old assembly hall here yesterday, HQA Chikka Thammaiah emphasized that the leaders should strictly abide by the election code of conduct. He informed that a candidate can only spend rupees twenty five lakhs at a constituency and he is obligated to file the list of expenditure before the election officers every day.

HQA also briefed that the leaders should not drag the names of castes and creeds during the election speeches and condemn them. Parties should acquire prior permission to hold meetings or to use vehicles for canvassing purpose.

Assistant election officer Akram Pasha informed that posters cannot be fixed on walls or compound in public places. Permission has to be taken for the display of banners too.He also asked the parties to avoid holding functions on sandy days.

Assistant election officer Shanmukha Swamy from Virajpet, police officers spoke on the occasion. Leaders from all political parties were present.